Hard Waves

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3.1 Waves & The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Question Paper
Course Edexcel IGCSE Physics

Section 3. Waves
Topic 3.1 Waves & The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Difficulty Hard
Time allowed: 70
Score: /51
Percentage: /100
Page 1 of 15
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Question 1
A scanner uses one type of wave to check for broken bones.
An image of the bone is seen because the waves from the scanner are
A. absorbed by the bone
B. reflected by the bone
C. refracted by the bone
D. transmitted by the bone
[1 mark]
Page 2 of 15
Question 2
Ultrasound waves are also used to produce images.
This is an ultrasound image of a fetus surrounded by fluid.
The ultrasound image is caused by waves which bounce off the fetus.
This is an example of waves that are
A. absorbed
B. reflected
C. refracted
D. repelled
[1 mark]
Question 3
A student has some LEDs connected in a circuit. They emit light of different colours.
The different colours of light are waves which must have:
A. the same amplitude in free space
B. the same frequency in free space
C. the same speed in free space
D. the same wavelength in free space
[1 mark]
Page 3 of 15
Question 4
A remote control emits infrared waves to operate a television.
The television receives infrared waves and radio waves.

It emits light waves and sound waves.
Which type of wave has the highest frequency?
A. infrared
B. light
C. radio
D. sound
[1 mark]
Question 5a
A student is listening to a radio.
The radio is powered by batteries that provide a direct current (d.c.).

What is direct current?
[1 mark]
Page 4 of 15
Question 5b
Radio waves are part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
(i)
Suggest a property of radio waves that makes them suitable for use in communication.
(1)
(ii)
Complete the table to show uses and possible harmful effects of some other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.
(4)
Part of the
Use Possible harmful effect on people
electromagnetic spectrum
Microwaves
Gamma
[5 marks]
Page 5 of 15
Question 6a
Different types of waves are used in hospitals.
(i)
Draw a line linking each type of electromagnetic wave with its use.
(2)
(ii)
Electromagnetic waves are transverse.
Describe how the vibrations of a transverse wave relate to the direction in which the wave travels.
(1)
[3 marks]
Page 6 of 15
Question 6b
Another type of wave used in hospitals is ultrasound. Ultrasound waves are used to make images of internal organs.
A scanner emits an ultrasound wave into the patient and records any reflections.
(i)
The scanner records the time from when a wave is emitted to when its reflection is received.
A technician calculates the depth of the reflection using the equation
1
depth = × (speed of ultrasound in patient × time recorded by scanner )
2
1
Explain why the technician uses the value in the equation.
2
(2)
(ii)
An ultrasound wave travels faster in the patient than it does in air.
Explain how a change in speed affects the wavelength of the ultrasound wave.
(2)
[4 marks]
Question 6c
Name one type of wave that is used in cancer treatment and explain what it does during the treatment.
[2 marks]
Page 7 of 15
Question 7a
Ultrasound waves are sound waves with a very high frequency. They are often used for medical purposes.
Dentists use ultrasound waves to clean patients’ teeth.
The diagram shows an ultrasound cleaner removing plaque from teeth.
The tip of the ultrasound cleaner vibrates 96 million times per second and is sprayed with water.
(i)
State the frequency of the ultrasound emitted by the cleaner and give the unit.
(2)
frequency = ....................... unit .....

(ii)
Suggest how the cleaner removes plaque.
(1)
(iii)
Suggest why water is sprayed on the tip of the cleaner.
(1)
[4 marks]
Page 8 of 15
Question 7b
(i)
State the equation linking wave speed, frequency and wavelength.
(1)
(ii)
The ultrasound waves have a wavelength of 0.00044 m and travel at a speed of 1540 m/s in the fluid.
Calculate the frequency, in MHz, of the ultrasound waves.
(3)
[4 marks]
Question 7c
Other waves also have medical uses.
Ultraviolet waves are used by doctors to cure some skin conditions.
Suggest two differences between ultrasound waves and ultraviolet waves.
[2 marks]
Page 9 of 15
Question 8a
An LED needs a minimum voltage to make it emit light.
The student investigates this minimum voltage using the circuit shown.
The student uses a voltmeter to measure the voltage across the LED.
Add this voltmeter to the circuit diagram.
[2 marks]
Page 10 of 15
Question 8b
The student gradually increases the voltage across the LED and records the minimum voltage at which the LED emits light.
The results for some different LEDs are shown in the table.
Display the results of the student's investigation on the grid.
[4 marks]
Page 11 of 15
Question 8c
The student concludes:
Evaluate the student's conclusion.

[2 marks]
Page 12 of 15
Question 9a
Waves can travel on water, through air or in a vacuum.
The diagram shows the side-view of a wave on the surface of water.
Each square on the grid represents 1 cm x 1 cm.
(i)
State the wavelength of the wave shown.
(1)
(ii)
On the grid sketch the trace of a wave travelling at the same speed, but with a larger amplitude and a lower frequency.
(2)
[3 marks]
Page 13 of 15
Question 9b
Two students investigate the speed of sound waves in air.
They use a stopwatch that shows times to the nearest 0.1 s.
They use an outdoor running track as their measure of distance.
The track is straight and 100 m long.
Describe what else they must do to obtain a value for the speed of sound.
[5 marks]
Question 9c
(i)
State the equation linking wave speed, frequency and wavelength.
(1)
(ii)
The speed of radio waves is 300 000 000 m/s.
A radio wave has a frequency of 31 MHz.
Calculate the wavelength of this radio wave.

(3)
wavelength = ..........................
[4 marks]
Page 14 of 15
Question 9d
A sound wave and a radio wave have the same wavelength.
State why they have different frequencies.

[2 marks]
Page 15 of 15

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3.1 Waves & The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Course Edexcel IGCSE Physics

The television receives infrared waves and radio waves.

The radio is powered by batteries that provide a direct current (d.c.).

A technician calculates the depth of the reflection using the equation

frequency = ....................... unit .....

Display the results of the student's investigation on the grid.

Evaluate the student's conclusion.

Each square on the grid represents 1 cm x 1 cm.

A radio wave has a frequency of 31 MHz.

Calculate the wavelength of this radio wave.

State why they have different frequencies.

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